Introduce your students to basic information about the world's largest religions - their origins, history, beliefs, and practices. Use this guide to Patheos' resources as you plan a learning unit around world religions.
Hinduism: Hinduism understands itself to be timeless, having always existed. Indeed, its collection of sacred texts is known, as a whole, as Sanatana Dharma, "The Eternal Teaching."
- Use the Origin Map Lens to trace Hinduism's beginnings.
- Then open the Tree Lens, clicking on Hinduism, in order to see the development of Hinduism.
- Read the Overview and Quick Facts of Hinduism to get a quick introduction.
- Read about the Origins of Hinduism, and use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Explore Hindu beliefs about the gods. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Read about Hindu teachings on dharma and karma. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Choose one further topic about Hinduism that interests you: Sacred writings, modern developments, reincarnation and moksha, or symbolism.
Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama, the "Enlightened One," was motivated in his spiritual search to discover the causes of and remedy for suffering. His teachings, summarized in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, give a guide to living in the world.
- Use the Origin Map Lens to trace Buddhism's beginnings.
- Then open the Tree Lens, clicking on Buddhism, in order to see the development of Buddhism.
- Read the Overview and Quick Facts of Buddhism to get a quick introduction.
- Read about the Origins of Buddhism, and use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Explore Buddhist beliefs about human nature and the purpose of existence. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Read about Buddhist teachings on moral life and action. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Choose one further topic about Buddhism that interests you: the life of Buddha, Buddhism in the modern age, suffering and evil, or Buddhist rites and ceremonies.
Judaism: Judaism is a tradition grounded in the religious, ethical, and social laws as they are articulated in the Torah -- the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. For Jews, human nature is rooted in the divine image and therefore has infinite value. Consequently, the purpose of existence is to relate to the divine and human "other."
- Use the Origin Map Lens to trace Judaism's beginnings.
- Then open the Tree Lens, clicking on Judaism, in order to see the development of Judaism.
- Read the Overview and Quick Facts of Judaism to get a quick introduction.
- Read about the Origins of Judaism, and use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Explore Judaism's beliefs about God's relationship with the Jewish people. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Read about Judaism's teachings on the purpose of existence. Use the Study Questions at the end of the article.
- Choose one further topic about Judaism that interests you: Sacred writings, the Jewish experience in the 20th century, holidays and holy days, including Shabbat, or Judaism's beliefs about chosenness.
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